Snap-hook.



T. B.. PETERSON.

SNAP HOUK. APPLIOATION FILED 11111.11, 1909.

967,664. 1 Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

ff f i m1. v v 4 aucune/11o THEODORE R. PETERSON, OF RAY, 1\TORTHDAKOTA.

SNAP-HOOK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A110; 16, 1910.

Application filed. August 11, 1909; Serial No. 512,406,

of the clamping members being closed by interitting retaining plateswhich form a water tight receptacle therebetween and eEectively preventmildew or other destructive agents from gaining access to the strap.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having norough corners to lacerate adjacent portions of the harness.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having alocking device to engage the harness strap and prevent disengagement ofthe strap during severe conditions of service.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the natureof the invention is better understood, my invention embraces thestructure illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which likecharacters of reference designate similar parts in the view shown.

In the accompanying drawing ;-Figure 1 is a perspective view of asnap-hook constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2.is alongitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is a cross section throughthe line A-B Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the shankand clamping elements. Fig. isa detail perspective view of one of theretaining plates. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the other retaining plate.Fig. 7 is a detail view of the hollow wedge. Fig. 8 is a detail view ofthe locking member.

Referring now to the drawing, 1 designates the shank of the snap-hookwhich terminates at one end in a hooked portion 2. The shank ispreferably formed hollow at its upper end to seat a spring 3 whichexerts an upward pressure on a catch 4 that cooperates with the bottomof the hook portion to form an eye for engagement with the ring of abridle or other portion of the harness in the usual and well knownmanner.

Suitably secured to the shank 1 is a bifurcated clamping head 5, thelateral branches 6 and 7 of which form clamping elements for engagementwith the looped terminal of the harness strap 8. The clamping element 7is hinged to the clamping element 6 so as to facilitate inserting theloop 8 therebetween. Formed upon the upper portion of the clampingelement 6 is a rounded head portion 9which operates in conjunction withthe rounded head portion of the clamping element 7 to form an eye whichconforms to the contour of the loop 8 of the harness strap as shown.Formed upon the lateral edges of the clamping element is a channel orledge 10 for engagement with the retaining plates 12 and 13.

The retaining plates are each formed from a flat piece of metal andconform in outline to the contour of the end edges of the clampingelements when the latter are in operative position. The retaining platesare provided with marginal flanges 14 which engage the ledges l() of theclamping elements and form a water tight oint therebetween.

Projecting from the retaining plate 12 is a lug 15 which engages acorrespondingly shaped recess 16 formed in the head portion of theclamping elements and serves to re.

inforce `and strengthen the connection between the retaining plate andclamping elements. For a similar purpose a projection 17 formed upon theretaining plate 13 engages a correspondingly shaped recess 1S formed inthe opposite end edge of the said head portion.

A wedge 19 having an annular recess 2O formed transversely its widestportion is loosely engaged in the loop 7 of the harness i strap andissufficient in length t0 extend the entire width of the loop portion. Thefunction of the wedge 19 is to hold the loop portion spread suflicientlyto prevent the accidental disengagement of the strap from the clampingelements during severe conditions of service. Engaged through the boreof the wedge is a locking pin 21, which projects through alined openings22 and 23 in the retaining plates.

One end of the pin is provided with a retaining head 24 and the oppositeend is screw-threaded to engage with the internal screw threads 25 ofthe opening 23. When the pin is screwed home the parts are held lockedin position and will not be released until the pin is backed out fromengagement with the retaining plates by manual operalof a harness strapor tion. As an additional safe guard for preventing the accidentaldisplacement of the looped terminal 8 of the harness strap, a lug 26 ispositioned on the inner face of the clamping element 6, and a recess 27is formed in the strap for engagement with this lug. As may be seen byreferring' to the drawing when the lug is engaged in the recess it isimpossible for the strap to be pulledv over the Wedge 19 and free fromthe clamping elements.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it is thought that the construction and operation of myinvention may be easily understood without a more extended explanation,it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion andminor details of construction may be made without sacrificing any of theadvantages or departing from the spirit of the invention as delined bythe appended claims.

I claim l. A snap hook having a pair of hinged clamping elements adaptedto retain the loop other fastener, retaining plates engageable with theopposite end ec ges of said clamping elements and operating to preventspreading apart of the same, a wedge between said clamping elements forengagement with the eye of said loop, and a locking member projectingthrough said wedge and engageable with said retaining plates for lockingthe parts in operative position.

2. A snap hook terminating at one end in a clamping element having asubstantially semi-circular head portion, a second clamping elementhinged to said semi-circular head portion and eoperating therewith toform an eye, retaining plates attached to the end edges of said clampingelements for limiting the spreading movement thereof, a wedge looselycarried in the eye formed by the clamping elements, and a locking memberengaged through said wedge and engageable with said retaining plates forlocking the parts in operative position.

3. A snap hook having a pair of hinged clamping elements adapted toconform to the contour of and snugly engage the loop of a harness strap,each of said clamping elements having a channel run around its endedges, retaining plates each having an upstanding fiange extendingaround its 1narginal edge for engagement with the channeled ends of saidclamping elements, an oriiced wedge loosely carried between saidclamping elements and engageable through the eye of said harness straploop, and a locking member engaged through the bore of said oriced wedgeand through alined openings in said retaining plates whereby tolockingly hold the parts in operative posi tion.

4:. A snap hook terminating at onevend in a bifureated clamping head oneof the branches of which is hinged to thc other, a lug carried by one ofthe branches for engagement with a harness-strap engaged between saidbranches, retaining plates re-l movably secured to the lateral edges ofsaid branches for limiting the spreading movement of the same, a wedgecarried between said branches for engagement in the loop of the harnessstrap clamped therebetween, and a locking member engaged through thebore of said wedge and engageable with said retaining plates whereby tohold the parts locked in position.

5. A snap hook having a pair of hinged clamping elements adapted toretain the loop of a strap, removable retaining plates engageable withopposite edges of said clamping elements to hold the same againstspreading, and means connecting the retaining plates for holding thesame in engagement with the clamping elements.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

,v THEODORE R. PETERSON.

Vitnesses ANDREW VVEs'rMAN, CHARLEY DELsnUD.

